• Kahuna
  • Kahuna
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Topic: Tingling Feeling in My Left Thumb..

This post is to ask those long time players about any numb or tingling sensation in your left thumb--after prolong playing.  I've been playing a lot lately (2hours a day), and noticed some numbness and tingling in my left thumb after playing.  Of course, my fingertips were pretty raw as well.


I'm considering consulting a hand specialist, but like to ask those who have been playing for years if you ever experienced such sensations?  I seem to get these sensations more while holding barre chords. 


Any techniques and/or suggestions would be appreciated.


Thoughts??


Thanks,

Kahuna

  • upyerkilt
  • upyerkilt
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  • From: Balloch, Scotland, UK, Earth
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
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Re: Tingling Feeling in My Left Thumb..

i play everyday and I cant say I have ever felt tingly feeling or pins and needles etc anywhere in my hand.


Maybe bad circulation? do you smoke? lol,


I think thuogh it is maybe the way you are holding the neck of the guitar? maybe not.

Also if you are just starting to play and you are playing 2 hours a day for a while, you might be doing a bit of harm to your hand? I am no doctor so if I were you, give it a rest for a few days see if you get the feeling, if not then it must be your tecnique and if you do get the feeling, get to the docs.


Ken

ye get some that are cut out for the job and others just get by from pretending
  • Kahuna
  • Kahuna
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Re: Tingling Feeling in My Left Thumb..

Thanks Ken!  Yes, I think I'm going to give my playing a small rest and see if things improve.  Regarding holding the neck, I know that my thumb should not be above the top of the neck.  But, once in a while, it creeps up, where my left palm is squeezing the neck slightly. 


I have to do this (sometimes) in order to hold barre chords.  I'm not really a beginner, but maybe that turned me into a fanatic.  Playing two hours a day.  I guess a break is needed.


Thanks,

Kahuna.

  • From: Renfrewshire, Scotland
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 1,359

Re: Tingling Feeling in My Left Thumb..

You say that your thumb creeps up above the top of the neck while holding barre chords. I did a wee experiment and holding the guitar in this way is extremely stressful on my thumb. Try placing the fleshy fingerprinted part of your thumb(sorry if this sounds a bit silly but it's the only way I can think of to describe it) slap bang in the centre of the neck. I find it easier to hold barre chords this way and it is way less stressful on the thumb.


I'm also finding it hard not to picture you with a large red throbbing cartoon thumb!!!!!! <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_eek.gif" border=0 alt="Shocked">


Al

Is anything really made up of zeros and ones??

alvee33's Website

  • Kahuna
  • Kahuna
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Re: Tingling Feeling in My Left Thumb..

Hi Al,


Yes, I can see my thumbs and fingers swollen up like a cartoon too!  I too, have tried several different ways of holding a barre chord.  I discovered that if I rolled my barre finger a bit to the side, it didn't affect my thumb as much.  Plus, I've given my playing a few days rest. And, the tingling sensation has subsided to practically almost gone.


I will try the new way of holding the barre chord.


Thanks,

Kahuna

  • From: Renfrewshire, Scotland
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 1,359

Re: Tingling Feeling in My Left Thumb..

If you ever change to an electric guitar you will find barre chords so much easier than on an acoustic. Or maybe that's just MY acoustic!!

Is anything really made up of zeros and ones??

alvee33's Website